Indie Production Company Locomotive Taps Alexis Alexanian as President of Production (Exclusive)

In her new role, Alexanian will oversee all aspects of production for the company, which recently signed a feature development deal with New Regency.

Locomotive, the New York-based indie production company behind Maggie's Plan and HBO's Grey Gardens, has hired film producer Alexis Alexanian as its president of production.

In her new role, Alexanian will oversee all aspects of production for the company’s film and U.S. television projects. Locomotive recently signed a feature development deal with New Regency and is increasingly busy on the TV front.

Alexanian most recently co-produced Rebecca Miller’s Maggie’s Plan, which made its world premiere at the Toronto Film Festival last month and was picked up by Sony Pictures Classics for domestic distribution.

After working in production on big-budget studio films including Bonfire of the Vanities, A League of Their Own and Striptease, Alexanian co-founded the groundbreaking digital initiative InDigEnt (Independent Digital Entertainment) with Gary Winick, John Sloss and IFC. At InDigEnt, she developed and implemented a streamlined production model and profit participation opportunity for filmmakers. Alexanian produced several films at InDigEnt, including Sundance films and Cannes Directors’ Fortnight selection Chelsea Walls.

Alexanian has a longstanding relationship with Locomotive principals Lucy Barzun Donnelly and Alexandra Kerry. The three produced Locomotive’s upcoming film Look Away, which stars Chloe Sevigny, Aidan Turner and Matthew Broderick. Alexanian also produced Sundance hit Pieces of April, which was co-produced by Barzun Donnelly.

Under her own banner, Elixir Films, Alexanian also produced the international TV series Long Way Round, starring Ewan McGregor, as well as the Ethan Hawke-helmed feature, The Hottest State.

"Alexis Alexanian has deep industry experience as both a producer and a consultant to major industry players, and we could not be more thrilled to have her join our team," said Barzun Donnelly and Kerry in a statement. "Her taste and expertise in production is unparalleled, and Alexanian has great relationships throughout the industry which we have already seen can move mountains on our projects."

Added Alexanian: “In an industry that’s constantly changing, it’s imperative to adapt to remain relevant. Locomotive has the vision and resources to produce quality material across the wide spectrum of distribution outlets. It is particularly meaningful to me to partner with such powerful and creative women."

Alexis Alexanian won the John Cassavetes Independent Spirit Award for Personal Velocity. For the past four years, she also has served as president of the board of directors for New York Women in Film & Television. In that role, Alexanian has been a vocal proponent of diversity and the advancement of women in film, TV and digital media.

Alexanian is also a frequent collaborator with the Tribeca Film Institute and the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation Film Programs.

Though Locomotive is best known for its indie films like Friends With Kids, the company brought in CFO Jonathon Kemp in 2014 to oversee U.K. television development and co-productions. Locomotive is currently developing a number of TV dramas and comedies in both the U.S. and the U.K. as well as unscripted fare.